Galia gets the nod at Newbury

By Tony Kelshaw, PA

Galia Des Liteaux sets a strong standard in the Listed-class Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Mares’ Chase at Newbury.

Dan Skelton’s charge showed plenty of promise as a novice last season, notably romping home by 13 lengths in a Grade Two contest at Warwick ahead of Complete Unknown, who was favourite for the Coral Gold Cup at this venue recently.

Taking on the top boys at Cheltenham and Aintree proved a step too far but Galia Des Liteaux made a pleasing reappearance against her own sex last month.

Harry Skelton had to keep pushing away to fend off Found On but a strong jump at the last helped her to prevail by four and a half lengths.

The seven-year-old can be expected to come on for that first run, as many of her stablemates have done this term, and this stiffer track should play to her strengths, so it will take a big effort to lower her colours.

Jamie Snowden has been enjoying a fine campaign so far and Torneo is taken to add another win to his impressive tally in the BetVictor Loyalty Club Juvenile Hurdle.

A decent performer on the Flat in France, the son of Toronado looked well bought at €110,000 to go jumping and can build on a solid second at Catterick on his National Hunt debut, having since been gelded.

Brave Kingdom made a most encouraging comeback from 690 days on the sidelines when making all to beat the hat-trick seeking General Medrano at Plumpton.

After reportedly working well at home, the three-time hurdles winner jumped superbly throughout and a 5lb rise up the ratings may not stop him following up in the JM Finn Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

The BetVictor EBF Stallions “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle looks a hot contest and Gidleigh Park gets the nod to further enhance his lofty reputation.

Harry Fry’s charge created a good impression when staying on strongly to score by six lengths in a Chepstow bumper from The Jukebox Man, who has since franked the form with three straight victories.

Gidleigh Park again powered up the home straight when striking by seven and a half lengths on his debut over timber at Exeter and the runner-up Range won nicely next time, so he is a rock-solid option and stepping up in trip will suit.

In The Air’s run at Sandown last time out was too bad to be true and he is given another chance in the Queens Arms In East Garston Handicap Chase.

Gary Moore’s five-year-old was a nice second on his first outing over fences at Huntingdon and previously did well in handicap hurdles, chasing home JPR One at Taunton before scoring under 12st at Fontwell.

At Ludlow, Go To War can make it third time lucky over jumps in the Tanners Cava EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

Fergal O’Brien’s charge won a Uttoxeter bumper last term before being far from disgraced in Grade Two company at Aintree, but he parted company with Paddy Brennan when put over obstacles at Exeter in October.

His third-placed effort in a well-contested Taunton contest was much more like it, though, and the son of Soldier Of Fortune now looks ready to come home in front.

Gavin Cromwell has enjoyed great success with his Irish raiders at Cheltenham this term and now turns his attention to Ayr, where Midnight It Is has a nice weight in the Win Your Wedding At Western House Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 13.30 Artisan Dancer, Race 2: 14.00 Dashing Darcey, Race 3: 14.35 Rosy
Kiss, Race 4: 15.10 Tiaraqueen, Race 5: 15.45 Sixties Chic, Race 6: 16.20 So Chic, Race 7:
16.55 Red Treasure, Race 8: 17.30 The Conqueror.

AYR: Race 1: 13.50 Blow The Budget, Race 2: 14.25 Ambush Annie, Race 3: 15.00 Magic
Wave, Race 4: 15.35 Midnight It Is, Race 5: 16.10 Here Comes McCoy, Race 6: 16.45 Busty
Boy, Race 7: 17.20 Ayiko.

LUDLOW: Race 1: 14.05 The Famous Five, Race 2: 14.40 Gaboriot, Race 3: 15.15 Love Tree,
Race 4: 15.50 Dr T J Eckleburg, Race 5: 16.25 Baby Sage, Race 6: 17.00 Minella Choice, Race
7: 17.35 Go To War.

NEWBURY: Race 1: 14.15 Torneo, Race 2: 14.50 Home Free, Race 3: 15.25 Brave Kingdom,
Race 4: 16.00 GALIA DES LITEAUX (NAP), Race 5: 16.35 Gidleigh Park, Race 6: 17.10 In The
Air, Race 7: 17.45 Park Princess.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.55 Love Your Work, Race 2: 19.30 Classic Encounter, Race 3: 20.00
Mulciber, Race 4: 20.30 Lightning Touch, Race 5: 21.00 Urban Sprawl, Race 6: 21.30
Coachello, Race 7: 22.00 Global Warning, Race 8: 22.30 Wake Up Harry.

DOUBLE: Galia Des Liteaux and Gidleigh Park (Newbury, Races 4 and 5).